CivilMass

As the Democrats struggle between the smooth-talking wonder-boy and the sharp-shooting former first lady, their big-name supporters sit nervously contemplating their political fortunes - and holding their tongues. Who are these people? We have compiled an extensive list and ranking (1 being weak, 10 being strong) of Vice-Presidential prospects for both parties including serious contenders as well as long-shots.

For The Democrats:

• Evan Bayh - Moderate US senator and former Governor of Indiana. He has plenty of foreign policy experience and a history of working across the aisle. His centrist image and wholesome Midwestern charm could help Obama, but unfortunately he endorsed Clinton already. (7)
• Joe Biden - One of Obama’s safest (but not soundest) bets: grounded, experienced and politically adept without stealing any thunder. Joe Biden has a hard time stealing his own thunder. (4)
  
• Michael Bloomberg - Who knows what Bloomberg wants to do these days? If he ran for president as a third-party candidate, he would be skewered by Republicans - and split the ticket. He would probably take Veep from anyone who offered it, left or right, since he has an inflated view of his popularity. Not a good pick overall. (2)
• Phil Bredesen - He’s a centrist and a popular governor of a southern state, and would make a great back-up prez. But he’s not a good long-term prospect for the Democrats (he’s 64 now), and probably wouldn’t take the offer anyway. (6)
• Wesley Clark - Either candidate will have to go up against McCain’s military experience. Having a 4-star general as your running mate could really help. Not only that, but he also has name recognition from his 2004 run and a solid political action committee. He has been campaigning here and there for Clinton. (7)
• Chris Dodd - Smart move for any candidate wanting to add a Warren G. Harding lookalike to the ticket. Dodd is competent but would add little to any general election. But a safe choice nonetheless. (3)
• Mike Easley - Catholic Governor from North Carolina. His mixed fiscal record and pro-life stance may work in the south, but might not go over as well with Obama’s base of “latte liberals.” (5)
• John Edwards - The charismatic former VP candidate seems to have little interest being VP in 2008, but has yet to rule it out completely. For now, he has remained on the sidelines for fear that he will pick the wrong candidate and lose his chance to be Attorney General, which would probably suit him better anyway. In any case, two senators on the same ticket would not be a smart choice for either candidate. (5)
• Russ Feingold - The senator from Wisconsin has flirted with a presidential run in the past, and would likely take the job. His progressive credentials are unrivaled throughout his career: he was the only senator to vote against the USA Patriot Act, he fought actively to end the Iraq war, he favors universal health care and has remained adamant in his opposition to most of President Bush’s right-wing policy initiatives. Sadly, he lacks charisma though. (4)
  
• Al Gore - Gore seems to relish being on the sidelines of politics, but he now prefers to be the owner than the backup quarterback again. More likely to be appointed Ambassador to the World. And he would upstage Obama with his recent string of saint-like awards and accolades. (1 for Clinton, 2 for Obama)
• Tim Kaine - The governor of Virginia would be a very strong choice for either Clinton or Obama. He’s popular, young, and presides over a southern state that is now ripe to be recaptured by Democrats in the general election. And he would probably take the job. Ties Kathleen Sebelius (below) for best pick overall. (10)
  
• Bill Nelson - Florida Senator and former astronaut. A conservative democrat who has threatened to bring a law suit against the DNC if they refuse to seat the Florida delegates. Probably not at the top of Obama’s list, but could be handily rewarded if he gives Florida to Clinton. (3)
  
• Ed Rendell - Former 2nd lieutenant in the Army Reserve, DA and mayor of Philly, and current Governor of Pennsylvania. Rendell brings a lot to the table, but doesn’t aspire to be Number Two. He endorsed Clinton, which will help her in Pennsylvania, but his usefulness in this race probably ends there. (4)
• Kathleen Sebelius - The Kansas Governor’s endorsement of Obama puts her near the top of his VP list. She is a popular governor of a red state which has symbolic value as the “heartland” and would serve him well in swing states such as Colorado, Ohio, Wisconsin and Missouri. Having a woman on the ticket would also increase the perception of making history and help him shore up the white woman vote. (10)
• Ted Strickland - The Ohio governor, who supports Clinton, told Fox’s Chris Wallace he is not interested in being VP. Not a strong candidate either way. (2)
• Tom Vilsack - The popular governor of Iowa dropped out of the 2008 presidential race early and became national co-chair for Clinton’s presidential campaign. He would be an option if Clinton was to pick up the nomination. (6)
• Mark Warner - Until he announced he was running for US Senate in 2008, there was a lot of talk about Warner taking at shot at the presidency. He is a conservative democrat who could help swing red Virginia blue in the general election and would be a huge draw for either Clinton or Obama.
  

On the Right:

• Haley Barbour - Governor of Mississippi and successful former RNC chair - Barbour is qualified to be VP and has reached his term limit as Governor. His former lobbying days would be a huge liability for McCain at this point.
  
• Michael Bloomberg - Billionaire Bloomberg would help McCain in the business community, but his positions on abortion, illegal immigration, and gay marriage would further alienate the constituencies he is trying to unite. (3)
• Jeb Bush - We believe W’s kid brother is going to wait four years to run: just when America is ready for another President Bush. For now, the country is sour on his surname, so he remains a lousy choice for McCain. (1)
• Chris Cox - Chairman of the SEC and US Representative from California. MBA and JD from Harvard, where he also taught a class on federal income tax. Beyond knowing the economy, he also chaired the Committee on Homeland Security, and the Select Committee on US National Security. (
• Charlie Crist - Governor of Florida and former state attorney general during the Terri Schiavo mess. More useful for his geographic location than his experience.
  
• Jim DeMint - Free-Market loving Senator from South Carolina. Believes gays and single mothers should not teach in public schools, and WMDs will still be found in Iraq. (5)
• Steve Forbes - Former presidential primary candidate and billionaire. Forbes has the fiscal knowhow, as well as the social conservatism. He is a proponant of the Flat Income Tax that Huckabee has been getting applause for throughout his campaign, and would help McCain among checkbook conservatives. (4)
• Rudy Giuliani - “The National Security Ticket” would be an oversell in a general election occurring in an economic downturn. The former New York mayor has proven that his campaigning and fundraising talents are thin at best. (2)
• Phil Gramm - Former Texas Senator who would make the fiscal conservative and small government crowd happy. (3)
• Frank Keating - Former FBI agent, Oklahoma Representative, Oklahoma Senator, United States Attorney, United States Associate Attorney General, and the only two-term Republican Governor of Oklahoma. He was considered for VP and AG under President Bush. (6)
• Joe Lieberman - Getting a Democratic senator on board would signal to John McCain’s opponent that he is competing for the center. Lieberman does not appeal to any constituency McCain needs though. McCain is happy to have the support of a Democratic traitor, and did little to dispel rumors that he is considering the match-up. But it would undoubtedly be dubbed the “Old White Men” ticket if Obama becomes the Democrats’ choice, and Joe Lieberman holds no loyalties outside his home state. (3)
• Mike Huckabee - He’s doing McCain a huge favor right now by keeping him in the headlines, even if he’s taking away votes. His campaign took a less serious turn when he delivered a paid speech in the Cayman Islands, and it now appears he is just holding out because he’s got nothing better to do. In any case, he is a great orator with a quick wit that appeals to both conservatives and centrists and would be a powerful weapon to draw Christians in purple states to the voting booths. (
• Kay Bailey Hutchinson- Experienced conservative female Texas Senator with name recognition. Big oil and gas would love to have her in office once Bush and Cheney are gone. (7)
• Tim Pawlenty - Young blue collar Washington outsider who has been at McCain’s side from the beginning. He could balance out the old stuffy image McCain epitomizes. (6)
• Mike Pence - Popular mid-west congressman known for his support of tax cuts, and anti-”socialized medicine” stand.
• Robert Portman - Former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, United States Trade Representative, and U.S. Representative from Ohio. Portman is young, has solid fiscal conservative credentials and endorsed McCain in Ohio. Portman currently holds no public office and would jump at the opportunity to be VP. (9)
• M. Jodi Rell - Popular female Connecticut Governor that upset some of her party by signing a law allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.
• Mark Sanford - Relatively unknown outside of South Carolina, Mark is a darling of the Christian right. He is a bookish young conservative who can talk about the environment and has endorsed McCain in the past.